Risk governance in the megacity Mumbai/India: a complex adaptive system perspective

Habitat International, February 2016, doi:10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.12.017:

This research aims to analyse if the application of a Complex Adaptive System perspective helps to improve mega-urban risk governance and disaster management. First, it discusses an analytical framework for Complex Adaptive Systems in relation to the following questions: Which factors produce risk in complex mega-urban systems and how are they related? Which structures, processes and actors are involved in coping with mega-urban risks and disasters? What are possible ways for dealing with the complexity of multi-stakeholder environments in mega-urban areas?

Second, it describes the 2005 flood events in Mumbai, India. In addition to the actual flood event, the change of risk governance and disaster management following the disaster is illustrated. It then presents the empirical findings of the case study against the background of the theoretical framework and looks at lessons learned from the Mumbai case study and point out the added value of a systems theory perspective on mega-urban risk and disasters.